CONTACT LENS CARE SOLUTIONS

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a biodegradable detergent in contact lens care solutions. The invention also relates to a contact lens care solution containing the biodegradable detergent, and to a method for the care of contact lenses.

Description: Contact lens care solutions The invention relates to the use of a biode¬ gradable detergent in contact lens care solutions, a care solution containing such detergent, and a method for the care of contact lenses. An optimal contact lens disinfection method has not yet been developed. Hydrogen peroxide has been used widely for disinfection but its possible toxic effects have made it less popular. Disinfection systems using no peroxide have been suggested, but it has been found that such systems require careful cleaning and rinsing (see Shih et al. CLAO-J, 1991, 17, 165-168). It has also been found that biofilms formed by enterobacteria prevent efficient dis¬ infection (see Parment et al . , Acta Ophtalmol , 1986, 64, 456-462). Research on biofilms formed on contact lenses shows that hydrogen peroxide is more effective than other disinfectants, and that non-peroxide sub- stances require an effective method for the removal of biofilms (see Wilson et al . , Arch Ophtalmol , 1991, 109, 1155-1157). The use of a separate detergent and disinfectant complicates the care of contact lenses. It would therefore be highly desirable to provide a combined agent which is both an effective detergent and an effective disinfectant. Previous detergents have been toxic to the eyes, and so it has been necessary to use a separate rinsing solution after cleaning. It has now been unexpectedly found that when a biodegradable detergent is used in contact lens care solutions, the obtained solution is suitable for the cleaning, rinsing, disinfection and storage of contact lenses. The invention relates to the use of a bio- degradable detergent in contact lens care solutions. The invention also relates to a contact lens care solution which is characterized in that it contains a biodegradable detergent. The invention further relates to a method for the care of contact lenses. The method is character¬ ized by treating the contact lens by a care solution containing a biodegradable detergent. According to the invention any biodegradable detergent can be used. However, preferred biodegrad¬ able detergents include 6-0-alkanoylglucosides, a particularly advantageous group consisting of those of the formula where R represents alkyl with 7 to 17 carbon atoms, and R 1 represents ethyl or propyl. Preferred 6-0- alkanoylglucosides of formula I include ethyl-6-0- octanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside, ethyl- 6-0-dodecanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-tetradecanoyl- glucoside, propyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside and propyl-6- 0-dodecanoylglucoside. One particularly advantageous 6-0-alkanoylglucoside is ethyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside, which is sold by the company Novo Nordisk under the tradename BioSurf™. According to the invention a biodegradable detergent can be used in all types of contact lens care solutions. Preferably, however, it is used in care solutions containing biguanide, particularly chlorhexidine acetate. Chlorhexidine is a cationic ^^-substituted bibisguanide having a wide anti¬ bacterial spectrum. The advantageous effect of a biodegradable detergent, such as ethyl-6-0-decanoyl¬ glucoside, is attributed to the fact that such a detergent, in addition to its own possible anti¬ bacterial effect, improves the antibacterial effect of other substances, such as chlorhexidine. In addition, a biodegradable detergent decomposes biofilms, which creates a suitable microenvironment for disinfectants. The amount of the antibacterial agent, such as biguanide, preferably chlorhexidine acetate, in the care solution is preferably between 0.000025 and 0.0025% by weight, most preferably about 0.00025% by weight. In addition to a biodegradable detergent, water and antibacterial agents, the care solution according to the invention may contain conventional additives, such as ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and a buffer. The care solution according to the invention typically contains 0.001 to 0.1% by weight, preferably about 0.005% by weight, of a biodegradable detergent. The following examples illustrate the invention. Example 1 One litre of a contact lens care solution was prepared which contained ion-exchanged water and Chlorhexidine acetate 0.00025% by weight EDTA 0.1% by weight NaCl 0.47% by weight Na-tetraborate decahydrate 0.14% by weight Ethyl-6-0-octanoylglucoside 0.005% by weight The pH of the solution is adjusted between 7.0 and 8.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Example 2 Chlorhexidine acetate 0.00025% by weight EDTA 0.1% by weight NaCl 0.47% by weight Na-tetraborate decahydrate 0.14% by weight Ethyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside 0.005% by weight The pH of the solution is adjusted between 7.0 and 8.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Example 3 Chlorhexidine acetate 0.00025% by weight EDTA 0.1% by weight NaCl 0.47% by weight Na-tetraborate decahydrate 0.14% by weight Ethyl-6-0-dodecanoylglucoside 0.005% by weight The pH of the solution is adjusted between 7.0 and 8.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Example 4 Chlorhexidine acetate 0.00025% by weight EDTA 0.1% by weight NaCl 0.47% by weight Na-tetraborate decahydrate 0.14% by weight Ethyl-6-0-tetradecanoyl- glucoside 0.001% by weight The pH of the solution is adjusted between 7.0 and 8.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Example 5 Chlorhexidine acetate 0.00025% by weight EDTA 0.1% by weight NaCl 0.47% by weight Na-tetraborate decahydrate 0.14% by weight Propyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside 0.005% by weight The pH of the solution is adjusted between 7.0 and 8.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Example 6 Chlorhexidine acetate 0.00025% by weight EDTA 0.1% by weight NaCl 0.47% by weight Na-tetraborate decahydrate 0.14% by weight Propyl-6-0-dodecanoylglucoside 0.005% by weight The pH of the solution is adjusted between 7.0 and 8.0 with concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 14 February 1995 (14.02.95); original claims 2, 11 cancelled; original claims 1, 10 amended; remaining claims unchanged (3 pages)] 1. Use of a biodegradable detergent in contact lens care solutions; the biodegradable detergent being a 6-0-alkanoylglucoside. 2. Use according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r¬ i z e d in that the 6-0-alkanoylglucoside has the formula where R represents alkyl with 7 to 17 carbon atoms, and R 1 represents ethyl or propyl. 3. Use according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the biodegradable detergent is ethyl- 6-0-octanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-dodecanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-tetradeca- noylglucoside, propyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside or propyl- 6-0-dodecanoylglucoside. 4. Use according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r¬ i z e d in that the biodegradable detergent is ethyl- 6-0-decanoylglucoside. 5. Use according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the amount of the detergent is between 0.001 and 0.1% by weight, cal¬ culated on the care solution. 6. Use according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r¬ i z e d in that the amount of the detergent is about 0.005% by weight, calculated on the care solution. 7. Use according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the care solution contains between 0.000025% and 0.0025% by weight of biguanide. 8. Use according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that the care- solution contains about 0.00025% by weight of chlorhexidine acetate. 9. Contact lens care solution, c h a r a ct e r- i z e d in that it contains a biodegradable detergent, which is a 6-0-alkanoylglucoside. 10. Care solution according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the 6-0-alkanoyl¬ glucoside has the formula where R represents alkyl with 7 to 17 carbon atoms, and R 1 represents ethyl or propyl . 11. Care solution according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the biodegradable detergent is ethyl-6-0-octanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0- decanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-dodecanoylglucoside, ethyl-6-0-tetradecanoylglucoside, propyl-6-0-decanoyl- glucoside or propyl-6-0-dodecanoylglucoside. 12. Care solution according to claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the biodegradable detergent is ethyl-6-0-decanoylglucoside. 13. Care solution according to any of claims 9 to 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it contains between 0.001 and 0.1% by weight of the biodegradable detergent. 1 . Care solution according to claim 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it contains about 0.005% by weight of the biodegradable detergent. 15. Care solution according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it contains between 0.000025% and 0.0025% by weight of biguanide. 16. Care solution according to claim 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it contains about 0.00025% by weight of chlorhexidine acetate. 17. Method for the care of contact lenses, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a contact lens is treated with a care solution according to any of claims 9 to 16.

Inventors: NIEMINEN OLAVI, NIEMINEN, OLAVI
Applicants: FINNSUSP AB OY, NIEMINEN OLAVI, NIEMINEN, OLAVI, OY FINNSUSP AB
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A61L2
IPC codes: A01N43, A01N47, A61L2, A61L12, C11D1, C11D3, G02C13